Arbitrary blackout to meet energy-saving target not to happen again
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| Zhang Ping, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission |
China will not allow arbitrary blackout to meet energy-saving targets to happen again, Zhang Ping, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at a press conference Sunday.
In order to meet the central government's goal of reducing energy intensity by 20 percent by the end of 2010 from the level five years ago, some local governments cut electricity supplies for residential houses, which caused extensive complaints.
Zhang admitted that the NDRC, which is in charge of energy saving and emission cut, is inexperienced in dealing with such a wrong practice, and should be hold responsible for it. "We will not repeat such mistakes," he said.
China aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 16 percent in the five years to 2015 on the basis of 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday at the opening of the parliament's annual session.
Carbon dioxide emission is set to be slashed by 17 percent in the five years, as part of the country's active efforts to grapple with climate change.
Zhang said the government will step up efforts to eliminate outdated industrial capacity and push forward key energy-saving programs.
